Giants, Hunter Pence gearing up for sentimental final weekend at AT&T Park

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SAN FRANCISCO–In a ballpark across the country, a stadium located more than 3,000 miles from San Francisco, the New York Mets are preparing to send off one of the franchise’s legends.

The captain, David Wright, will start the final game of his major league career Saturday in what’s expected to be an emotional farewell.

Wright, 35, hasn’t played for the Mets since 2016. His contract runs through 2020, but this is the end.

It’s a fate no athlete ever wants to accept. It’s a fate one of Wright’s contemporaries, Hunter Pence, has been forced to consider.

A beloved hero responsible for many of the Giants’ most iconic recent memories, Pence spent much of April clinging to a roster spot. After his batting average dipped to .172 on April 18, the Giants placed Pence on the disabled list, sending the veteran on a two-part rehab assignment to Triple-A Sacramento.

Pence dealt with a minor thumb injury, but by the middle of his rehab assignment, he was healthy enough to return to the Giants outfield. He was not, however, productive enough to merit consideration.

After playing seven minor league games, the Giants and Pence agreed to pause his rehab. He took a week off from games, met with an independent hitting instructor, and ultimately proved he deserved another chance.

When Pence returned to the Giants June 2, his starting job was gone and his opportunities limited. It took until July 24 for Pence to hit his first home run, and while his numbers have improved, the last day his batting average hovered above .230 remains April 8.

As he plays out the final days of a five-year, $90 million contract signed before the 2014 season, Pence has come to terms with the fact his future in baseball is no longer guaranteed.

But as the Giants prepare a farewell for Pence, it won’t look anything like the one the Mets are holding for Wright.

New York will pay tribute to Wright by rewarding him with an honorary start at third base Saturday. Pence will hit leadoff and play right field this weekend against the Dodgers, because that’s what gives the Giants the best chance to win.

“I’m excited to go out there and watch him,” ace Madison Bumgarner said. “I know this is the last year of his deal but I don’t want to assume anything with him. He’s done a lot of stuff and he’s one of the most mentally tough people that I’ve ever been around and played with. So if he wants to keep playing, keep playing.”

With a home run, a single and three runs scored, Pence led the Giants to a 5-4 comeback win over the Padres Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, his .683 OPS ranks second behind Evan Longoria among Giants who have started at least 20 games in the second half.

While injuries have sent the Giants into a tailspin, Pence is no longer earning playing time out of respect for what’s he done for the organization. He’s in the lineup because of what he can still do for the Giants.

“The future is unknown,” Pence said. “But it really is a tremendous honor and it’s a joy for me deep down inside to take this field for as many years as I have and for these last couple of games.”

The Giants are a fourth-place team in need of a significant overhaul to their roster. The franchise has already dismissed general manager Bobby Evans and plans to hire a “next-gen” replacement who will undoubtedly look to improve the roster’s core with younger, more athletic talent.

But before the organization shifts completely toward the future, the Giants are planning to honor the probable end to Pence’s tenure in San Francisco during Sunday’s season-finale.

The outfielder will turn 36 next April, and if he signs another contract, it will likely be a minor league deal with an invitation to earn a job in spring training. Pence understands his days with the Giants are almost over, but until they officially end, he’ll have a chance to try to keep the rival Dodgers out of the playoffs.

If this is the end for Pence with the Giants, or the end for Pence as a major league player, that would be quite a way to go out.

“I just try to stay in the moment and give it all I’ve got,” Pence said. “Treat it just like I treat every game. You never know your whole career even when you’re young, it could be your last game. I’ve been fortunate to have one game in the major leagues, much less however many I’ve had.”